Tongan-American pop star Dinah Jane received a warm homecoming welcome in Vavaʻu on Saturday, November 7, as her maternal family and supporters celebrated her arrival following a public controversy over her performance of Tonga’s national anthem.
Jane was welcomed at Lupepauʻu Airport before joining a colourful vehicle parade to Tefisi, where her maternal ancestors originated and members of her extended family, or kāinga, live.
Jane’s arrival in Vavaʻu had been highly anticipated following an announcement days earlier by prominent social media influencer Siaki Lonitenisi, who organised a bicycle parade in support of Tonga National Rugby League XIII.
The parade took place last Saturday morning, ahead of Jane’s arrival that afternoon. Lonitenisi had previously told his followers and parade participants that they would head directly to Lupepauʻu Airport after the event to welcome the Tongan pop star.
Photos shared on Facebook showed Lonitenisi and cyclists dressed in red and white joining the parade to welcome Jane, who was seen waving from the back of a red pickup truck as cheering crowds lined the roadsides along the procession route.
Among those celebrating Jane’s arrival on Facebook were commenters who took the opportunity to share their family connections to the former Fifth Harmony star. One commenter claimed they were related through a Tangulu great-grandfather from Tefisi, explaining that Jane’s mother, Milika Amasio, belonged to the Tangulu clan.
Joyful Homecoming Amid Controversy
The celebrations brought a more joyful chapter to the singer’s visit to Tonga, days after her rendition of the national anthem before the Tonga National Rugby League XIII’s clash with Samoa on November 1 sparked public debate.
Former New Zealand Olympic champion Dame Valerie Adams had criticised Jane’s departure from the anthem’s traditional melody, particularly a climactic vocal run that ended on a high note rather than the lower notes of the original composition.
Jane subsequently responded to the criticism, expressing disappointment at Adams’ remarks and defending her performance as an artistic interpretation. She argued that vocal runs are widely used by internationally renowned singers and questioned why she had been singled out for using the technique.
The exchange attracted public attention and prompted debate over artistic interpretation and the importance of preserving the traditional musical structure of Tonga’s national anthem.
The debate on Kaniva Tonga News’ Facebook page has attracted thousands of comments and reactions, dividing the community between supporters of Adams and Jane, with the exchanges also descending into personal attacks.
Some of Jane’s supporters rebuked Adams, arguing that her criticism was unwelcome because she had represented New Zealand rather than Tonga during her career as a world champion shot putter. Meanwhile, Adams’ supporters countered that Jane was free to alter the melody if it were her own song, but not when performing Tonga’s national anthem.
